KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders looking to the skies for a respite from the gloom and doom of the economic recession are in luck, with a long, hot summer
predicted.
NIWA is expecting above-average temperatures and less rainfall during the summer for much of the country, with settled periods of fine weather.
Principal scientist Dr James Renwick said high-pressure systems are set to sit over the country, bringing subtropical breezes and balmy temperatures.
"It's looking pretty good for beachgoers over the holiday period. There's a stronger chance we're going to get a string of warm days all together, not the wet weather we're prone to."
News of the golden weather will be welcomed by Kiwi holiday-makers, many of whom have been forced to reconsider overseas travel plans in the wake of the economic downturn.
Gordon Care, manager of the Orongo Bay Holiday Park in the Bay of Islands, said a good summer would make up for a disastrous winter in the Far North.
"We've had four months of bloody rain up here, I've never seen it so wet. If we can have a long, hot summer people will love it and it'll be great for business."
Regional predictions for November - January:
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty: Above average temperatures with near normal rainfall likely.
Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and Wellington: Above average temperatures overall, normal or below normal rainfall.
Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa: Above average temperatures likely, normal rainfall overall.
Nelson, Marlborough, Buller: Above average temperatures.
West Coast, Alps and Foothills, Inland Otago, Southland: Above average temperatures likely.
Coastal Canterbury, East Otago: Average temperatures, rainfall expected to be normal.
